MINIATURE BULLDOG PUPPIES
Dignified. Mellow.
Sometimes called a Bull-Pug, the Miniature Bulldog is a cross between an English Bulldog and a Pug, Puggle, or French Bulldog to create a smaller size bulldog that will be perfect for your family. English Bulldogs were bred to bait, guard, and control bulls while Pugs have been companions to royals since about 1600 BC. The combination naturally features the best qualities of the two, creating a small, affectionate pup who gets along well with people and doesn’t require a large time commitment.
Temperament
They are peaceful and get along well with animals and people. (You may find that some males are territorial or try to display dominance or aggression toward other male dogs.)
By nature, Bulldogs may occasionally display overprotective behaviors, but early training and socialization can help you manage it. Pugs are known to be tough to housebreak, and Bulldogs may also carry this trait, especially when it’s cold or wet outside. They can be stubborn and slow during training, but they retain what they learn well.
Appearance
Eyes are dark, large, and round, and ears are thin and small and hang in a rose or button configuration.
Mini Bulldogs have sleek and short, smooth and glossy coats that shed moderately but almost never tangle or mat. Black and fawn is the most common coloration, but you can also see brindle, red, and white.
Typically this breed will be about 15 inches tall and weigh 15 to 45 pounds.
Exercise
They are not likely to ask for walks, and you may even find your pup to be lazy! But some daily exercise is crucial to keep these naturally thick-set dogs from becoming obese. (Obesity runs in both parent breeds, so Mini Bulldogs are especially prone to putting on unhealthy weight.)
We recommend 30 minutes of activity per day and about 2 miles walking per week. Take care when exercising because their shortened muzzle makes them particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Miniature Bulldogs are a cross between the English Bulldog and the Pug. The ancestry of the English Bulldog is somewhat of a mystery, but it is thought that they are the result of crossing a Mastiff breed and a smaller dog, possibly even the Pug. They were developed to bait, control, and guard bulls in England, so they were bred to be much more tenacious and aggressive than today’s Bulldog. Their extremely high pain tolerance unfortunately made them exceptionally talented in the blood sport of pit fighting. The breed were excellent fighters and also became the parent breed for well-known breeds developed to fight, like the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. When blood sports were outlawed in England in 1885, only a few fanciers continued to breed Bulldogs, but they shifted focus to develop a more docile, agreeable breed appropriate for families.
Pugs are an ancient breed known to have been cherished companions to Chinese royalty as far back as the Shang dynasty, about 1600 to 1046 BC. They were so valued that they were given as gifts to visiting royal families and dignitaries, and this is how they made their way around the world. Pugs were very popular in England, known to have kept court with King William III and Queen Mary II in the 1600s. They were also one of several breeds raised and shown by Queen Victoria during her 19th century reign.
Major health concerns to be aware of:
- Pulmonic Stenosis
- Dental Disease
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Subaortic Stenosis
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
Minor health concerns to be aware of:
- Entropion
- Ectropion Demodectic Mange
- Cherry Eye
- Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Allergies
- Hydrocephalus
- Skin Fold Dermatitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Meningitis
- Exposure Keratopathy Syndrome
Because the Mini Bulldog has such a short, smooth coat, its grooming needs are fairly simple. Bathing is only necessary every few months, or if they get into something smelly or messy. This breed can be prone to allergies and skin conditions, so some Mini Bulldogs may need additional bathing with medicated shampoos. Their short coat will only need brushing about once a week to manage shedding and properly distribute natural oils. The Mini Bulldog’s shortened snout and small mouth make them more susceptible to dental problems, so be sure to attend to their dental hygiene regularly.
